Morris: When a tarantula comes knocking

A tarantula comes knocking on a Walnut Creek home, looking for love in the wrong place. The mating season for tarantulas is quickly coming to an end. (Courtesy)

DEAR JOAN: The other day, while sweeping our front porch, I discovered an unexpected visitor viewing its reflection in the brass kick plate of our front door. Since we added the plate to the door, frequently we hear knocking sounds from little birds who must think they've found a friend.

You can just imagine the shock of finding a tarantula gazing at itself.

I have seen a few tarantulas in our neighborhood lately as we back up to open space.

Do you think perhaps the tarantula was hoping it met a mate or decided to get out of the rain? Isn't Mother Nature great?

Barbara

Walnut Creek

DEAR BARBARA: Yes, Mother Nature is awesome, and having a tarantula knocking on your door is fairly cool as well.

The tarantula mating season on Mount Diablo is in early fall, September through October, so we're at the end of it. This guy may have been getting a little desperate, venturing out in the rain to find a mate and probably thinking he'd at last found his perfect match -- his own reflection. Hopefully he used the plate to spruce up a bit and then went about the business of courting.

Watch out

It's national "Give Wildlife a Brake" week and the Humane Society of the United States reminds drivers to slow down and be aware of wildlife activity.

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As days get shorter and the end of daylight-saving time approaches, it starts getting a little dangerous out there for human and animal alike.

October through December is the worst time of year for run-ins with deer. Vehicle-animal accidents can cause injury, death and car damage.

Kaitlin Sanderson, public relations specialist for the Human Society, sends us these tips to help keep the roadways safe.

Follow speed limits. Many animals are hit simply because people drive too fast to avoid them.

Watch for wildlife in and near the road at dawn, dusk, and in the first few hours after darkness. Keep in mind that where there is one animal, there are probably others -- young animals following their mother or male animals pursuing a female.

Be especially cautious on two-lane roads bordered by woods or fields, or where streams cross under roads. Slow down to 45 mph or less in these areas.

Scan the road as you drive, watching the edges for wildlife about to cross.

Lower your dashboard lights slightly. You'll be more likely to see your headlights reflected in the eyes of animals, giving you more time to brake.

Do not put your own safety at risk. Unless you can move an injured animal from the road in absolute safety, do not attempt to do so. Use your hazard lights or emergency road flares to warn oncoming traffic of the injured animal. Never attempt to handle a large animal, such as a deer, or one that could give a serious bite, such as a raccoon.

Call the nonemergency number of the local police department and describe the animal's location. Stay in the area until help arrives.

Use heavy gloves to protect yourself or avoid direct handling if you try to rescue a small animal.

Gently coax or place the animal into a cardboard box and transport it to an animal shelter, wildlife rehabilitator, or a receptive veterinarian. Keep the animal in a dark, warm, quiet place to minimize fear and stress.